The REDvolution takes priority, but those lesser sports need an occasional mention.

Menu

Panthers have ties to Toronto

The Florida Panthers (28-44-8) host Toronto (38-34-8) tonight here at BB&T Center (7:30, FSN). As I sit here being entertained by the Union College-Boston College Frozen Four semifinal – featuring Cats’ prospects Michael Matheson and Ian McCoshen – here are a few notes for Florida’s 81st game of the season:

FACING THE HOME TEAM: Six current Florida players and two coaches have their roots in Ontario, the home of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Captain Ed Jovanovski, Krys Barch, Jesse Winchester, Brad Boyes, Brian Campbell, Brandon Pirri and Erik Gudbranson are all Ontario natives, as are interim head coach Peter Horachek (Stoney Creek) and assistant John Madden (Barrie).

THE LONE GUY: Barring an incredible finish by Sean Bergenheim, Scottie Upshall or Nick Bjugstad, right winger Brad Boyes will end the season as the only Cat with a 20-goal effort. Boyes had 20 markers through 76 games and has been one of Florida’s most reliable scorers after being brought in on a tryout during camp. Bergenheim is the next highest goal-scorer with 16, then points leader Upshall (15 goals, 22 assists) and Bjugstad (14 goals).

ONE-TIMERS: Florida is 2-1 against Toronto, outscoring the Leafs 10-8 with six of the Toronto goals coming in a 6-3 home win on Jan. 30…Entering Thursday night’s game, Florida held an overall record of 26-28-7-5 against the Maple Leafs…The Panthers own a winning record against Toronto in South Florida, posting a 14-13-5-2 mark…Florida recalled G Scott Clemmensen earlier on Thursday…Florida had lost 283 man games before Thursday’s game…D Dmitry Kulikov is just one point shy of 100 NHL points…F Brandon Pirri has 12 points (6-6-12) in his last 16 games, including a four-game point streak from Mar. 31 to April 6 (3-2-5).

THIS DATE IN CATS’ HISTORY: Defenseman Bryan McCabe, currently the team’s manager of player development, tallied his 1,000th NHL point by recording an assist in a 4-3 loss to Tampa Bay on April 10, 2010.

Fully credentialed media working for Scripps newspapers in FL for 18 years. Have covered the NHL and NASCAR beat, MLB, college football, NFL and more prep sports than imaginable. But now it's, well, "Mostly Panthers Hockey." Now in my ninth season covering the Florida Panthers. Also a member of the Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA). Earned an M.A. in English from the University of Central Florida in 1995. Follow on Twitter@BillWhiteheadFL